Adenocarcinoma
A cancer that begins in the gland-forming cells lining many internal organs.
Definition
Adenocarcinoma is a type of carcinoma that arises from glandular cells — the cells that line organs and produce fluids such as mucus, digestive juices or hormones. It is the most common form of several major cancers, including most breast, lung, colorectal, prostate, pancreatic and stomach cancers.
Diagnosis is confirmed on a biopsy, where the pathologist sees gland-like structures under the microscope. Treatment depends on the organ of origin and the stage, and typically combines surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and/or targeted therapy.
See also
- Carcinoma — Cancer that begins in the surface (epithelial) cells lining the skin and internal organs.
- Biopsy — A small sample of tissue taken from the body and examined under a microscope.
- Histology — The microscopic study of tissue to identify cancer type and features.
- Staging — The process of finding out how large a cancer is and whether it has spread.
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Medically reviewed by
Dr. Rehan Abdullah
Dr. Rehan Abdullah is a dual-trained clinical and radiation oncologist with over a decade of experience treating both solid tumours and hematologic malignancies. He serves as Consultant Oncologist at INMOL Hospital and sees patients at Farooq Hospital and Healthnox Medical Center, Lahore. Read full profile →
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